Now, Governor Ravi faults CM Stalin for event at museum to honour Gandhiji
He questioned the rationale behind continuing to “mock” Gandhi, even today. Governor Ravi’s remarks came after he paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Mandapam here, on the occasion of the latter’s 78th death anniversary.
Governor RN Ravi with Chief Minister MK Stalin hoisting the national flag at Marina Beach Road in Chennai on Republic Day ceremony (Photo: Manivasagan)
CHENNAI: Governor RN Ravi on Thursday expressed his deep dismay and disappointment over the lack of respect accorded to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, in the State.
He questioned the rationale behind continuing to “mock” Gandhi, even today. Governor Ravi’s remarks came after he paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Mandapam here, on the occasion of the latter’s 78th death anniversary.
The governor’s tribute was accompanied by students and attendees, who witnessed the rendition of Gandhi’s favourite bhajans.
In a statement, Governor Ravi said, “Paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi on his punyatithi. A beacon of peace, selflessness, and non-violence, whose life and timeless ideals guide our collective vision of an inclusive, compassionate, and self-reliant Bharat by 2047, for a harmonious, equitable, and prosperous world.”
However, Governor Ravi’s address took a significant turn when he pointed out the stark contrast between the grandeur of the Gandhi Mandapam and the relatively subdued manner in which Gandhi’s memorial events are organised by the ruling DMK government in the state.
“Gandhi Mandapam is a grand memorial of the Father of the Nation, built over a sprawling land adjacent to the Guindy National Park, Chennai, by K Kamaraj in 1956,” Governor Ravi observed.
“Does it make any sense to do Gandhi memorial events–his birthday and martyrdom day–in a corner of a city museum?” he questioned. Governor Ravi further claimed that he had made repeated requests to Chief Minister M K Stalin to accord due respect to Gandhi and hold memorial events in a befitting manner at the Gandhi Mandapam.
However, these requests were met with “stubborn refusal”, he said. Governor Ravi noted that during his lifetime, Gandhi was “vigorously opposed and mocked” by the followers of the Dravidian ideology.
However, he posed a question: “But should he continue to be mocked at even today?”
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister MK Stalin, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi and other ministers paid floral tributes to the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at Egmore museum here. The ruling government strongly responded to the Governor’s Statement, saying he was twisting facts and indulging in politics.